Deck 12: Historical-Comparative Research

Question 1

Identify the unique features of H-C research and compare H-C to field research.

Answer 1

H-C research, or human-computer research, is a type of research that focuses on the interaction between humans and computers. This type of research often involves studying how people use technology, how they interact with user interfaces, and how they engage with digital information. Some unique features of H-C research include its focus on the human-computer interaction, the use of technology as a research tool, and the emphasis on understanding user behavior and experiences.

In comparison, field research typically involves conducting research in a natural setting, such as a workplace, community, or environment. Field research often involves observing and interacting with people in their natural environment, collecting data through interviews or surveys, and analyzing the findings to understand a specific phenomenon or behavior.

One key difference between H-C research and field research is the focus on technology in H-C research. While field research may involve the use of technology for data collection and analysis, H-C research specifically focuses on the interaction between humans and technology. Additionally, H-C research often involves the use of experimental methods to study user behavior and experiences with technology, whereas field research may rely more on observational or qualitative methods.

Overall, H-C research and field research both aim to understand human behavior and experiences, but they differ in their focus on technology and the methods used to study human-computer interaction.

Question 2

What are the limitations of using secondary historical sources?

Answer 2

Secondary historical sources, which include books, articles, documentaries, and other materials that interpret, analyze, or summarize information from primary sources, are invaluable for understanding the past. However, they come with several limitations:

1. **Interpretation Bias**: Secondary sources are often a step removed from the event or period in question and are subject to the author's interpretation. Authors may have their own biases or perspectives that color their analysis, which can affect the accuracy or objectivity of the information presented.

2. **Contextual Limitations**: Secondary sources may not fully capture the context of the time period they discuss. The author might not include all relevant details or might interpret events without considering all the historical nuances, leading to a potentially skewed understanding.

3. **Dependence on Primary Sources**: The quality of secondary sources is heavily dependent on the primary sources available. If primary sources are incomplete, lost, or unrepresentative, secondary sources may perpetuate these gaps or inaccuracies.

4. **Analytical Errors**: Historians and authors can make mistakes in their analysis or fail to consider all relevant factors, leading to errors or oversimplifications in secondary sources.

5. **Time-Bound Perspective**: Secondary sources are influenced by the time in which they are written. The prevailing attitudes, beliefs, and scholarly methods of the author's own time can affect how they interpret past events.

6. **Selective Use of Evidence**: Authors may selectively use evidence to support their thesis, ignoring evidence that might contradict their arguments. This cherry-picking can distort the historical record.

7. **Accessibility of Sources**: Some secondary sources may rely heavily on other secondary sources rather than primary documents, which can perpetuate misinformation or lead to a 'telephone game' effect where the original context or meaning is lost.

8. **Theoretical Frameworks**: The use of specific theoretical frameworks to analyze historical events can limit the scope of the investigation. For example, a Marxist historian might focus on class struggle, while a feminist historian might emphasize gender relations, each potentially overlooking other important aspects of the historical narrative.

9. **Language and Translation Issues**: When secondary sources are based on primary sources in different languages, the nuances of language and the quality of translations can affect the accuracy of the information presented.

10. **Publication Bias**: The process of publication itself can introduce bias, as certain narratives or interpretations may be favored by publishers, while others are marginalized or ignored.

11. **Overgeneralization**: Secondary sources sometimes generalize findings from limited data, which can lead to broad statements about historical events or periods that may not be entirely accurate.

12. **Outdated Scholarship**: As new evidence comes to light and scholarly methods evolve, older secondary sources may become outdated. Relying on such sources without considering recent scholarship can lead to a misunderstanding of historical events.

To mitigate these limitations, historians and researchers should critically evaluate secondary sources, corroborate information across multiple texts, and remain aware of the inherent biases and constraints of historical interpretation.

Question 3

Identify three advantages and three problems to using a comparative method.

Answer 3

Three advantages of using a comparative method include:

1. Increased understanding: By comparing different cases or examples, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter. This can lead to new insights and perspectives that may not have been apparent through a single case study.

2. Generalizability: Comparative methods allow researchers to make broader generalizations about a topic by examining multiple cases. This can help to identify patterns or trends that may be applicable to a larger population or context.

3. Rigorous analysis: The comparative method often involves a systematic and rigorous approach to data collection and analysis. This can help to ensure that the findings are robust and reliable.

Three problems with using a comparative method include:

1. Selection bias: Choosing which cases to compare can be subjective and may introduce bias into the analysis. It can be difficult to ensure that the cases being compared are truly representative of the larger population.

2. Complexity: Comparative methods can be complex and time-consuming, especially when dealing with multiple cases or variables. This can make it challenging to manage and analyze the data effectively.

3. Interpretation and causality: Drawing conclusions from comparative analysis can be difficult, as it may be unclear whether observed differences are due to the variables being compared or to other factors. Establishing causality can be particularly challenging in comparative research.

Question 4

Describe how back translation works and explain its purpose.

Question 5

Identify at least three major difficulties you should expect if you do archival research.

Question 6

You pick up a book called the Australia in the Penal Colony Years. When reading it, you notice that the author really only discusses the lives and ideas of five individuals based upon their diaries. The book is very micro-level. It only tells about the particular people with no generalization or integrating themes. This book illustrates which problem with secondary sources?

A) Historians often use vague concepts with inconsistent definitions to organize the primary sources they read.
B) Historians select a tiny fraction of the mass of information they read, but the selection process is largely unseen and unknown.
C) Historians often have an individualistic bias and tend to focus on actions of the specific individuals revealed in primary sources.
D) Historians, especially those who write in a narrative form, separate out significant from trivial information, but rarely make their social theories explicit.
E) Historians are influenced by various "schools" of historiography.

Question 7

A great deal of primary historical data is located in archives. Which of the following is TRUE about doing archival research?

A) Virtually all archival materials have been put onto computers so scanning through large amounts of material online is very easy.
B) Most archives are located in one or two large cities, so even if one needs to visit an archive, it is easy to find one. Most are open seven days a week for 12 hours per day.
C) Archival materials are usually very well organized and sorted. All material is clearly labeled and categorized for easy searching.
D) Archival research is often painstakingly slow. Often there are gaps or holes in a series of papers or destroyed documents, but reading new material can reveal new ideas or connections.
E) Common events and individuals persons are easy to track in archival material. All materials are in one location, and everything related to a person or event of interest will be clearly connect and include everything of relevance.

Question 8

Todd conducted a study of American Indian tribes in the state of Colorado between 1880 and 1920. He interviewed elderly Indians about what they remembered of their childhood and the stories told to them by their parents and grandparents. His data is a(n)

A) running records.
B) oral history.
C) supporting evidence.
D) non-source based knowledge.
E) primary sources.

Question 9

Professor Henshaw went to the state historical library and state revenue department. He looked up the records of taxes paid each year by the twenty largest companies in the state between 1950 and the present. This type of data is best classified as

A) running records.
B) recollections.
C) secondary sources.
D) primary sources.

Question 10

Talk about:
-back translation

Question 11

Talk about:
-conceptual equivalence

Question 12

Talk about:
-contextual equivalence

Question 13

Talk about:
-external criticism

Question 14

Talk about:
-Galton's problem

Question 15

Talk about:
-Human Relations Area Files (HRAF)

Question 16

Talk about:
-internal criticism

Question 17

Talk about:
-lexicon equivalence

Question 18

Talk about:
-measurement equivalence

Question 19

Talk about:
-oral history

Question 20

Talk about:
-primary sources

Question 21

Talk about:
-recollections

Question 22

Talk about:
-running records

Question 23

Talk about:
-secondary sources